Universal Health Coverage workers in Kenya have announced a peaceful demonstration set to take place in Nairobi on October 13, 2026. The protest, which will involve around 2,000 staff, aims to press the government for the payment of six years of outstanding gratuities and clarification of their employment terms. According to the notice submitted to the Nairobi Regional Police Commander on September 29, 2026, the workers will gather at Green Park Bus Terminus at 8:30 a.m. before marching to various government offices.
The grievance stems from a protracted dispute over gratuity payments and employment conditions for health workers recruited under the UHC programme during the COVID-19 pandemic. The workers cite Gazette Notice No. 8091 of October 12, 2020, which demands that the Ministry of Health settle all outstanding gratuities for UHC staff in accordance with that directive. They have also requested police to provide adequate security throughout the procession, invoking Article 37 of the 2010 Constitution as the legal basis for their picketing.
In April 2025, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale pledged to address the issue, including the transition of eligible staff to permanent, pensionable positions. This commitment was made in an effort to resolve the dispute that had been ongoing since the inception of the UHC programme. The Ministry of Health had indicated that it would consider gratuity payments after the workers’ absorption process, following talks with health unions and the Council of Governors in May 2025.
Despite these assurances, the dispute resurfaced in July 2026 when UHC staff staged a protest at Afya House, complaining that their contracts had expired without clear guidance on employment status, salaries, or medical cover. The workers felt that their concerns were not being addressed, leading to renewed tensions between the health workers and the government. The issue remains a significant challenge for the Ministry of Health as it seeks to transition UHC workers to permanent and pensionable terms.
In August 2026, the government allocated Sh8.6 billion to transition 7,789 UHC workers to permanent and pensionable terms. However, the gratuity issue remains unresolved, prompting the upcoming demonstration. The workers are seeking a comprehensive solution to their employment concerns, including the payment of outstanding gratuities and clear guidelines on their employment status.
The UHC programme was initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic to bolster the healthcare workforce in Kenya. The programme has been instrumental in expanding healthcare services, but the employment conditions of the workers have been a subject of contention. The workers are now seeking to draw attention to their plight and push for a resolution to the ongoing dispute.
The demonstration is set to take place on October 13, 2026, and will involve a march to Afya House, the Public Service Commission offices, and the National Treasury. The workers hope that their petition will be heard and that the government will take concrete steps to address their concerns. The outcome of the demonstration remains to be seen, but it is clear that the UHC workers are determined to press for their rights.
Key points
- Around 2,000 UHC workers to protest in Nairobi demanding six years of unpaid gratuities.
- The dispute stems from a protracted issue over gratuity payments and employment conditions for health workers recruited under the UHC programme during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The government allocated Sh8.6 billion to transition 7,789 UHC workers to permanent and pensionable terms, but the gratuity issue remains unresolved.
